WASHINGTON— Democrats in the House of Representatives are scrambling to secure enough support to pass President Barack Obama’s historic health overhaul initiative, working to soothe last-minute concerns from rank-and-file Democrats ahead of a make-or-break vote.
Voting is set for Saturday on the 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation that embraces Obama’s goals of extending health coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and putting tough new restrictions on insurance companies. But House leaders said Friday the vote could be pushed back a day or more.
Obama was set to make a personal appeal to the Democratic rank and file in a visit to Capitol Hill Friday. That was called off late Thursday after the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, and rescheduled for Saturday.
The House effort picked up two major endorsements Thursday, from the powerful seniors’ lobby AARP and the American Medical Association.
Action on health legislation was slowed in the Senate as lawmakers waited for the Congressional Budget Office to weigh in on a bill written by Majority Leader Harry Reid in consultation with the White House and key committee chairmen.